Alligator-like reptile spotted in Toronto pond believed to be a caiman

Toronto residents have called animal services after a big reptile called a caiman was spotted in a pond at the city’s High Park. The animal has since been captured by members of the Toronto marine police unit with help from the Reptillia Zoo.

“Me and my friend were just hanging out and he saw something and was like ‘oh my gosh, is that a crocodile,'” she told BlogTO. “We just went and sat and watched it for half an hour and it stood just still for a while and then swam around and made some biting motions. It’s pretty fascinating–I’ve never seen anything like that before.”

Stadnyk posted a brief video online showing what appears to be a reptile several feet long swimming in the shallows of the pond. The animal is confirmed to be a caiman, which is native to Central and South America. It’s unclear how the creature found its way to High Park.